I've been featured on......

....another blog!

This is all to exciting!

I'm really glad that others want to crochet along with me this May! It is going to be a little intense but I'm excited!

Anyways, head over to "Would you like yarn with that?", have a look around and check out my feature......

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week!

I found this Blog Along yesterday while hanging out on-line and I'm thinking of doing it....But I haven't decided yet....

Regardless, I wanted to share the link with others because maybe you haven't seen it yet and will want to join in.

Melissa

Yoga Sock Pattern!

I recently did a blog post to show off the Yoga Socks I've been making and promised to share the pattern with others, so here it is....

This pattern is really flexible and can be adjusted to fit many different size feet.
I have very small feet (a size 5) so you may want to chain more in the beginning but remember that the fabric will stretch when you wear it, so don't go crazy! I added only 3 chains for bigger ones which fit my moms foot (a size 8).

There is one thing I've learned after making several pairs of these socks and that is you don't want the socks to be too long. They should only just reach the balls of your feet so you can still grip the yoga mat while your working out.

This pattern is worked from the ankle down, using short rows to create the space for the heel.

Okay, here it is....and please let me know if you find any errors.

You will need a small amount of worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm hook.

Chain 32. (The chain should wrap comfortably around both your ankle and the base of your foot, if it doesn't, add more chains).

Slip stitch to join, being careful not to twist the chain.

Working the ankle:

Chain 2, half double crochet (hdc) in each space. Join with a slip stitch at the end of each row.

Repeat 5 times. (If you would like your socks to be longer, you can just add more rows)

Forming the heel opening:

Hdc in next 20 stitches. Chain 2. Turn leaving the rest of the stitches from the previous row unworked. (If you've added stitches to make your socks longer, be sure to leave at least 12 to 15 unworked stitches for the heel opening).

Hdc in 20 hdc of previous row. Chain 2. Turn.

Hdc in 20 hdc of prevous row. Chain 12 (or the number of stitches you avoided when forming the heel), join with a slip stitch to the first hdc of row. Chain 2.

Working the foot:

Hdc in each stitch around. Chain 2. Join with an slip stitch at the end of each row.

Repeat 8 more times or until your socks reach but do not cover the ball of your foot.

And you're done! Make another to match.

Then make some for everyone in your yoga class!

Play around with color...have fun with it!

If your planning to make this pattern, please check out pattern policy here.

Making and Doing

Last evening I spent some time making buttons for my new friend Adaiha, over at Things to Make and Do.

Her blog has really inspired me to learn more about granny squares and all the magic they hold. It was from a couple of months of watching her year of square making unfold that made me want to make a square a day this May. I am so honored that she is going to be joining me on this interesting adventure.

Adaiha is also going to be doing some guest blogging for me in May, so keep an eye out for that while you are squaring away in May.

With no further ado, her are the buttons, be sure to check out her blog!

Adaiha asked me to change the font color on the button I made her and here it is!

Stash busting!

Howdy!
We are experiencing some lovely weather up here in Ontario and there is nothing like a good snow storm to get me in the crafting mood. That said, I wanted to let everyone know that there is some serious stash busting going on over in the land of The T-Shirt Diaries.

Robin is hosing a stash busting up-cycling event from March 22 to April 22, kinda like a Earth day slash spring cleaning for your craft corner (or corners for some of you out there).

So, if you haven't already done so, run (or maybe click...we are in the world of blogging) over there and sign up. I am planning to make many pairs of yoga socks and a few head start squares for the event I'm planning in May.

Here's the link:



Enjoy!

A Square a Day for the Month of May!

I've decided to make the this may a bit more interesting and instead of just finding things here and there to crochet up, I want to make one 12" granny square everyday for the month!

I've never done anything like this but I feel the need to make a fun big project that will hopefully aid in the busting of my stash!

I started thinking about all the fun squares I could make and looking forward to sharing them with others and then I started to realize that maybe other people would be interested in doing this too. With a little planning before hand, I could post a list of each square I plan to make and maybe others could make them too. And then, on the 31st we can all start attaching them! Doesn't that sound exciting?

So let the planning begin....Here's what I'm going to need to do...

1. Make a button for the event
2. Make a page on Facebook and Raverly
3. Make a list of the granny squares we will be making and provide links to them all on my blog
4. Figure out how to do a linking party, so we can link the squares we've made everyday

That is good enough for now!

Yoga Socks!

So, I recently got a membership to the fitness place that just opened around the corner from my house. I've never really been into working out but I've noticed this winter that I get winded going up the stairs in our place and I need to get into better ship. The pass I got is all inclusive for the month and that means that I have access to HOT YOGA!

I like yoga but have never really done much of it, so I am super excited to be able to try it out! Of course, I wanted to crochet something to go with my new found hobby (don't worry crocheting, you will never be replaced!) and found several patterns for yoga socks on line. After searching for a while, I decided to just go with it and make up a pattern of my own.

The socks above are my first attempt at crocheted yoga socks (I made a knit pair but they took forever!). Sam, the lovely young lady who owns the studio, has told me that she will sell them at there if I make more, so that's what I'm going to do.

I'm going to make several different pairs, playing with color and number of stitches and then write up the pattern to share with you here....

Until next time,
Melissa

Where I'm linking this pattern!

This week!

This week has been crazy!

My lovely co-worker fell on some ice last weekend and seriously hurt her back. She hasn't been able to come into work all week so I have been staying late almost every night to close up The Blue Frog. I have been really lucky that Alex is still off work and has been able to watch Kade while I'm working late. But working late means less time to craft, so my crafting life has suffered.

Also, I decided to join the new work out joint that opened next to work. I have never worked out in my life but she is giving a great deal to CONTACT employees and I could stand to lose a few pounds. I went to 3 classes in 3 days and my body is sore. One of the classes I went to was hot yoga. I've never done much yoga but I thought I may as well get my moneys worth with this all inclusive pass I bought. This has also meant less crafting time!

But last night I started some yoga socks, which are quick to work up and fun too. I have some other crafty ideas brewing in my mind too and will try to fit some serious crafting time in this week!

Hope all is well with you,
Melissa

Let's Stashbust together!

If your anything like anyone who crafts you have a stash somewhere in your home of craft supplies. I too have a stash, and while mine is pretty limited it is over flowing at the present!

So Robin over at The T-Shirt Diaries has challenged all to a spring stashbust. The rules are simple; try not to buy any craft supplies between the dates of March 22 - April 22, take "before" pictures of you stash and place her button on your blog. Lovin' it!

So here are my stash! This is the storage closet in our dinning room which is really just an extention of our living room because we dine in our kitchen. Each one of the drawers is over flowing with yarn and beside the dresser is more yarn and projects waiting to be done. It is overwhelming to say the least and I'm looking forward to busting it.



And here is where you can sign up to bust up your own stash!



I am also planning to do a granny square a day in May....I will be making 30 different granny squares and then sewing them together to make a blanket....yes, stashbusting!

Freezer Paper Stencils!

My mother in law dug up some freezer paper while we were at her house on the weekend and I got right to making stencils from it! Kade is in love with pirates, or so I'm told, so I printed off a pirate ship for him and cut out the stencil last night (along with my thumb!)

Then I found some more cheap shirts while out this morning, and whipped two more stencils this after work this afternoon. Kade is invited to a party this weekend so we did some pink butterflies for Lucy and a blue garbage truck for her garbage truck loving brother.

This was so easy to do! Honestly, it was much harder to find the freezer paper then it was to make the stencils and do the painting. If you're thinking of making your own stencils, there is a wonderful tutorial over on Made or give me a shout and I can whip something up for you.

Added my shirts to a linking party...if your coming from there, thanks for stopping by!



Here are the pictures to prove it!

The Weekend is Over.....

....and we had many adventures!

Kade had a wonderful time at the birthday party, I finished the tutorial I was working on (almost) and the socks are done! Thank goodness those socks are done...I took pictures but lost them. I will take new ones again soon!

While at my mother in laws last night she found freezer paper in her basement for me, which was super excited, and soon, very soon, I will start making stencils! I'm planning to make t-shirts as christmas gifts this year, so I want to practice!

Speaking of christmas (the stash busting time of year for me)I've decide to start making presents really early this year in a hope that my stash will be seriously busted! It is getting out of control again I've made a silent vow to stop buying yarn for the next few months.

I have also become very inspired by the lovely lady at Things To Make and Do, who has been making granny squares for months and is not attaching them all. I am thinking of doing a month of granny squares and then putting them together....That would be a great way to bust my stash.

Okay, I must head to work but wanted to share a plant update.
I took the first picture of our hyacinth 2 days ago and the second one just this morning....lovely right!

This weekend....

While this weekend is only moderately busy, I don't think I'm going to have much time to blog...sorry!

I have been spending the last few nights working on a tutorial that will be posted some time next month in the Spring Stashbusting event on The T-Shirt Diaries Blog. This is the first tutorial I've ever done, and it has been taking awhile but I'm almost done and I think it will be totally worth it. If you would like to take part, follow the link below to find out more info!



I also finished a gift for one of my co-workers son's birthday party which Kade and I will be going to this Sunday. It is at a local indoor playground that we have never been to but I will report back on Sunday, hopefully with some stellar pictures!
Here is the hat I made for him!



I've added this hat to a linking party....check it out!



And, a plant update!

Here is the latest addistion to the family in the way of plants, a lovely hyathan that Kade picked out on a shopping trip last week. We also go one for Kade's classroom and theirs is already blooming! I will keep you posted as this one comes to life.



And our orchids are making subtle changes, the one on the right is getting ready to pop. I can't wait to see what color they are...what a lovely surprise!



So, between a hair cut, a visit from my parents, a birthday party and a trip to see the in laws, I will be finish my mother in laws socks and doing the final steps on my tutorial!

Thanks for stopping by,
Melissa

New blog to read!

I've just added a new blog to my reading list and wanted to share the love!

I have been spending a lot of time on other peoples blogs lately...finding linking parties, checking out their tutorials, and looking at their set up to develop my own. I have started to follow a lot of cool crafty blogs but am trying to be really selective of the blogs I am adding to my blog reading list. Several of the blogs on my reading list are friends and family blogs but most others are crochet blogs and that's the way I like it!

Here is yet another crafty crochet blog for you to check out!



What is most exciting about her blog is she has just started a series of post on how to make your blog better! I can't wait to read all she has to say, and if your interested in improving your blog head on over to Sarah's blog and find out how!

Freezer Paper Woes

I've been on mad hunt for freezer paper this past week and have brought up nothing! I have looked in ever store in Alliston and have family looking in their own communities and still nothing.

I found last week on the Made Blog that you can make stencils with freezer paper and got the paint and all tools needed but the freezer paper! It is making mental!

Stay tuned, because I'm going to find freezer paper and make the coolest t-shirts ever! Promise!